The Last Sacrifice

The Last Sacrifice by Hank Hanegraaff and Sigmund Brouwer is the second book in the Last Disciple series—but not the last. It begins in Rome during the reign of Nero, a cruel, egotistical man, who could in an instant throw his best friend to the lions—or worse. Today, he is doing that very thing to his friend, Vitas, because Vitas took offense at the pass Nero made toward his wife, Sophia. But, through a strange intervention, Vitas finds himself rescued and on a ship bound for Alexandria.

Vitas has been beaten badly about the face and experiences a wonderful healing under the careful nursing and prayers of a strange man named John, son of Zebedee. All he can remember is being given a scroll before he was beaten and being told to get it deciphered to find the answers he needs. Meanwhile, his wife, Sophia, is fleeing for her life after Nero invited her to commit suicide. She has become a follower of the Christos.

Helius, Nero’s secretary, has many problems. First, he finds that Vitas was not killed in the arena. Then, he finds that Sophia did not commit suicide as ordered. If Nero finds out that his wishes were not carried out, heads will roll—literally. Damian, Vitas’ brother, is a head-hunter who is looking for John, the prophet, but then finds himself seeking his brother after he learns he is alive. However, he doesn’t know that his slave has been ordered to kill Vitas or lose his family to Helius’ evil ways.

There is much happening in this story. One almost needs a scorecard to keep track. A couple of problems are resolved during the book and more background is developed that obviously is leading to the third book. We get an up-close look at the suffering of the Christians under Nero’s reign and the politics that lead up to the destruction of Jerusalem.

This is not a book to read fast. It has many characters and the authors spend a couple of pages on one scenario, then switch to another. All lives are intertwined and revolving around a strange scroll written by John on Patmos. A dedicated reader or historical buff will enjoy it. – Linda Demorest, Christian Book Previews.com

Book Jacket:

One man dies. So others will live.

One man is martyred in the arena. Another is spared, sent from Rome on a ship in the dead of night, armed with a scroll holding answers that can be found only through understanding the divine Revelation, a scroll that can help him topple Nero’s reign of terror and bring him back everything he has lost. But only if he has the courage to trust.

And behind him, the Beast is on the hunt. . . .

“This calls for wisdom. If anyone has insight, let him calculate the number of the beast, for it is man’s number. His number is 666.” Revelation 13:18, NIV